The Next Green – Innovation in Sustainable Design

Countries and municipalities are setting more aggressive goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy demands in new buildings to mitigate climate change. This represents a prime opportunity for architects to apply their skills and experience to lead the charge. However, sustainable high-performance and low-energy building is often still considered a technological discipline. In reality, real low energy results are achieved through the design and form of the building, and can be a generator for design innovation. Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, the recipients of the 2016 Professional Prix de Rome in Architecture from the Canada Council, have been exploring firsthand how Scandinavian architects set new standards for sustainable buildings in which energy efficiency and design merge seamlessly while achieving better environmental and socially sustainable outcomes in their built environments, from individual buildings to cities. Heather Dubbeldam will share her team’s ongoing Prix de Rome travel research, centered on Denmark, Sweden and Norway as leaders in sustainable design, and how that research has shaped the work of her practice in Toronto.

Heather Dubbeldam, OAA, FRAIC, LEED AP

Heather Dubbeldam is the principal of Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, an award-winning architectural practice and research studio based in Toronto. Heather has been recognized as a leading advocate for sustainable design and the betterment of our built environment through her practice and intensive ongoing research in both Canada and Scandinavia on progressive design and planning that exemplifies best practices in social and environmental sustainability, climate-positive developments, and urban resilience. She is regularly invited to speak as a thought leader on the subject at conferences, schools of architecture, and industry events. As part of her commitment to bring positive change to sustainable practices in Canada, Heather is also disseminating her studio’s research through a blog (www.thenextgreen.ca), public presentations, and dialogue on how to integrate these more innovative approaches into the Canadian mindset.